Recovery Time

[greenThumbs]

I am curious as to the recovery times experienced by others here.  I am scheduled for a laparotomy in May.  I am trying to get myself ready mentally as well as trying to figure out how long I may be out from work.  I don't know if this could play a factor but I am about 40 minutes from work.  I have a desk job so I am sitting the majority of the day - no lifting at all but a lot of sitting.  I have much flexibility to get up as needed.  I think I am just getting anxious now.  I have an appointment March 14th to go over the results of my biopsy.

[azlinda]

Had laparotomy last 8 weeks (due to endometriosis). Recovering well but when can I start exercising? My body felt heavy and my tummy is getting bigger (of fat). I took a lot of vitamins and minerals. Once a month (for 6 months) I have to get Zoladex.Can anyone share the experience as mine.

[LM_White]

hello,
I had a laparotomy and laparscopic surgery on 11/05/07. I had an undetected ectopic pregnancy which led to a ruptured fallopian tube at 8 weeks. I was rushed to emergency surgery for I had massive internal bleeding. the doctor tried to look thru my naval and all he saw was blood. all my organs were covered in blood and blood clots. he had to proceed with the bikini cut to remove the est. 1500 ml of blood from my abdomen and ruptured tube. my surgery took 2hrs b/c of the bleeding. Usually the surgery only takes 1hr. Anyways, it has been 23 days since surgery. I have another follow up appt. at 6 weeks post surgery. I stayed in the hospital 3 nights. it was very painful to get in and out of bed the first 5-7days even on meds. lots of gas because air gets trapped when ur open. due to bikini cut. my husband needed to lift my straight legs and help place them on the ground the entire in&out of bed process was awful. because u cannot use you abdominals post surgery (which in reality you use those muscles for everything) once I was out of bed I could move slower than a grandma. Granted w/ time u get stronger. my incision has healed well (2 weeks) however, numbness exisit around the entire incision. and a swollen buldge above the scar...it appears that I have a dent. I am 28 yrs old and was in great health prior to the er surgery. but finding it difficult to give myself the rest...after a few days you get bored. and reading is difficult due to pain meds. I thinking total recovery will take 6-8 weeks. I was premitted to drive after 2 weeks after I was discharged from the hospital. lately, I have had painful gas, and a discomfort on my side right side (i still have my right tube) I might be experiencing  more discomfort due to the internal bleeding and being scrubed. Bottom line. it is major surgery. have people who love you and can help you. you will be shocked how simple things can be difficult for the first 2-3 weeks. Good luck, odds are if you need the surgery it is worth the surgery. love and bless...lauren

[Curls]

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one taking a long time recoverying.  Thanks for posting -- it's encouraging for me.

I had just a lap to remove a cyst/ovary.  It's 5+ weeks and I'm still limited on any errands outside the house, and resting inside the house.  I'm not dealing with chemo too, so I'm glad that part is going okay for you even if it is crumby.  
Cheri

[milashka]

My surgery was 11/23/05. When he said recovery 4-6 weeks I thought wow, that's a long time. I am now at month - MONTH - 4 and still not back at work. The initial recovery went well...weak in the legs but pain not bad (except for the gas pains week 4, breathtaking, literally!). No lifting, sweeping, etc for 6 weeks. No big deal, I had help. Expected to go back to work at week 8. Tried but no can do. Still having problems sitting upright for longer than 1/2 hour so my desk job caused a lot of pain and I had to go back on the Percocets. He thinks I might have torn a muscle. So that healed but now I am having pain again. I am fairly active but not stupidly so and still I am having throwbacks.

BTW I am 43 and pretty healthy. Went into surgery strong and ate like a horse afterwards. Feel great despite chemo and incision pain. The only thing that limits me right now is surgery recovery, more so than chemo.

Still I think surgery was the easy part. Maybe because it's "mechanical". Chemo affects your entire system and although I am tolerating it will I think it sucks.

[CindiSue]

Thanks, girls. The very first week after surgery I WILL have my 11 and 13 yr olds AND my DH there. I don't have the week after that's schedule yet. I hope by that second week when the kids go back to school I will be okay. If everything doesn't go as "scheduled" and something goes wrong or I need more done than is anticipated then that is another story.

I AM going to ask for what I need. I think maybe after that week I just MAY get alittle more respect around here. They don't know what you do all day until you don't do it! Like the joke where the DH goes home and everything is alkl over the yard, house,etc...kids running amuck and he askes the DW what the heck happened. SHe says, "you know when you ask me what I did all day? Well, today I didn't do it!"

Thanks for the rant. I am kind of loosing it these last few days. Can't concentrate, cring at every turn...and yet I have the dire need to "put everything order" but just can't maage it. It's worse than getting ready for a new baby!!!   Cindi

[NikkiPoo]

If I was you I would just come right out and tell them that they need to get someone else to watch the girls the first week, tell them that you know you will not be up to it.  You are the one that is having surgery and you know your body.  You need the rest..... so be firm when you tell them.  Good luck :)))

[Gatsby]

Perhaps you could talk to your son and he can convince DIL to maybe get someone else for the following week?  That is when it will really be harder for you, since dh and kids are back in school.  Don't worry about rambling, you really needed to get that off of your chest.  I am here to listen!
~Tascha

[smakosgirl]

I had a laparotomy 2/14.  I just went back to work today...I work at a Dr.'s office...desk job...no lifting.  I'm a little sore, a little tired, but I was going crazy just sitting here!  I'm 37 so I'm not too old and not too young, I guess!  Your body will let you know when you're doing too much.  I have a 13yr old and an 11yr old and a husband who've had to learn to do things for themselves lately...not always an easy task!  The pain was really not that bad...mostly like burning at the incision...good luck and take it easy!!!

[CindiSue]

This is a BIG concern for me. I have 3 still at home, 11 and 13 yr old girls and a 17 year old son. He works most everynight...that is fine. My girls have already been "taking care" of me and the house some as I have had rather ill health for 4 years along w/ great fatigue.

If that were the only equation I'd be set. But I am a stay at home mom and watch our  1 1/2  and 4 yr old grdaughters 3 days a week. Their mom (DIL) is a nurse and she thinks my recovery will be fine..."just minor surgeries". SHE only had a sore throat after her D&C following a miscarriage. But I am having seversl lap and vag procedures and am 47 and not so well anyway!!! I took 2 weeks off for a c-sec when I had licsenced day care in my home..but I was 30 and am not that woman anymore! ANd STUPID!!

My surgery is for 3/17. I will have Sat and Sun then the little girls will be with us Mon, Tues, and Wed!! We planned this timing...spring break is that next week so my 11 and 13 daughters will be here and we had already planned for my hubby to take that week off for vacation, before we scheduled the surgery. I will have plenty of help and caregivers.

I just know this is going to be a problem. I feel like my ill health is taken lightly by DIL sometimes and I try to just keep my limitaions to myself and do what ever they need whenever they need it. I know you all will say to just tell her I can't but that is SO HARD! My savior will be my hubby...he will take care of it. It just is upsetting for her to put this stress on the situation.

Thanks, I just needed to get that off my chest. I want to be able to get through this and move on.    Cindi

[Gatsby]

Mary V is right.  Your age will have alot to do with your recovery.  I am 45 and the worst part was the fatigue!! I went back to work, but for only a few hrs each day.  I was pooped!!  Also, remember to take it easy, if you do too much too soon, you will have a set back - just ask Sonie or Dawn, they can tell you.  I could tell when I had over done it (trying to do housework, etc) my body let me know!  Also, the fluids before and after surgery are important.  Keep hydrated.  You are in my prayers.  Godspeed
btw - looking forward to the cyber party!
~Tascha

[greenThumbs]

Thanks vixen.  I will definitely remember about the fluids.

[vixen28]

My anaethetist told me to drink at least 2 and a half litres of water (or other fluids) the day before the op to hydrate the body. I drank almost 4 litres - pacing myself over the day. I woke from the anaesthetic feeling great! No nausea and wide awake. I don't know if it was the fluids, but it was certainly completely different to my previous GA. From there, pain was very well controlled with morphine drip and anti-inflamatory tabs. After only 2 days, pain meds decreased as I didn't feel I needed them as much. By day 5, I was on very little and felt pretty good.  Still got presciption for some fairly strong meds to take home with me just in case I felt I needed them, but really only needed some to go to bed of a night to try to have a good night's sleep. I haven't had any meds at all since day 8 or 9.  I have mostly felt discomfort rather than pain, and feel really well. I am now at day 12 and know that I really need to take it very easy for another 4 weeks or so. This is so that I minimise the risk of adhesions. I am taking it very slowly, just doing a little ironing, some washing up, etc and letting all those around me do the hard yakka. I am having a total of 6 weeks off work. You'll need lots of great people around to give you a hand so that you can rest up and get back to work as soon as you feel able to or when the doc says its ok. Good luck!